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Arsenal vs Fulham 12th August 2007 - Premier League - Emirates Stadium I set off for the station at 9.10 aiming for the 9.25 train. The station is fairly busy for such an early hour, not with football fans though. Families going out for the day, making the most off the two days of summer we've had so far this year. The match was originally scheduled for Saturday 3pm KO, the traditional time before the TV companies interfered. In typical fashion transport for London decided that the first day of the season would be a good day to close the Victoria line for engineering works. Why not use the summer break? Fucking idiots. So here we are with a 12pm KO on a Sunday morning with only one train an hour to choose from. To add insult to injury there are engineering works on my train line today to which means a diversion via Weybridge too. Nice. Anyway, I shouldn't be grumbling already, it's the first match of the season, the sun's out and I™€m on my way to meet the lads for a couple of pints before the match. I get off at Vauxhall and as soon as I did I thought it was a mistake. Vauxhall is the home of the oval, and England are playing there today. I am able to squeeze down to the underground to pick up the tube. I get to the ground in plenty of time arriving at 11am. Everything is the same, only the menu has changed. £7 for a pint and nachos. I protest and only buy the pint! Another new thing is that there's post match entertainment today. A Tom Jones tribute and a Q&A with Sammy Nelson, Arsenal legend. I don't plan on staying for this as I'd like to get home in time to watch Utd vs. Reading later at 4pm. You never know though! The match kicked off, as so does Arsenal's season and I'm feeling optimistic. It doesn't last long though. Within 30 seconds of the start Lehman hashes an easy clearance and passes a couple of feet to David Healy for an easy goal. Ouch, it's going to be a long season! We have a few chances over the next hour or so but can't take them. Fulham may have had a penalty too after a clumsy challenge from the new Captain Gallas. In the second half Fulham had a few chances too and Arsenal could not have complained if they were 2 or 3 nil down. With 20 mins left on the clock, along came the expected time wasting which was so common in the games at Emirates Stadium last season. The breakthrough came with about 5 mins left on the clock after Kolo was hacked down in the box and the penalty was given in Arsenal's favour. Van Persie launched it into the top right corner to snatch the draw. There's a bit of a melee in the Fulham goal as Arsenal try to retrieve the ball quickly and a number of yellow cards follow. How important they will be will be decided later in the season. It's not over yet though, and Arsenal keep pressing. There are a number of corners with no impact, but the winner comes a minute from time when Hleb is picks up the ball in the penalty area and is able to slot it home. Cushdy, 2-1 to the Arsenal. So, off to a winning start. That's the main thing, but its an unconvincing win. Riding their luck for 85 mins before nicking the win. Fulham must be gutted that they failed to win the match, but if you can play badly and still win then perhaps that's championship form! I'm jumping the gun. Arsenal will not be champions this season but they will be closer to the top two and they will play better than this. |
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